Congratulations to DanceSport Team Cebu City’s very own, Pearl Marie Cañeda for being one of the awardees of the first ever Women in Sports Awards on March 20, 2024, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
Women Sports Awards is a celebration of women’s empowerment where all recipients and nominees are female athletes, para-athletes, coaches, media staff, and media. A partnership event of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). “It’s about time that we inspire our young female athletes and coaches with this kind of awards night,” said PSC Commissioner Bong Coo. Judith Staples one of the program committees said every nominee underwent a grueling selection with the help of the PSA to further review their performances that will justify their nominations. (Source: mb.com.ph)
Pearl Marie Cañeda is a product of the DanceSport Grassroots Program and a member of the DanceSport Team Cebu City. One of her biggest achievements was winning three gold medals in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games with her partner Wilbert Aunzo.
The DanceSport Grassroots Program was started in the year 1998 by DanceSport Team Cebu City (DTCC) in coordination with the Cebu City Government, the Department of Education, and the barangays via the former Sangguniang Kabataan to gather kids in the barangay or school gyms and train them. The program aims to teach DanceSport to children and youth from different barangays and schools in Cebu City, especially those from impoverished areas. The coaches and trainers were members of the DTCC. It didn’t matter if they were already gold medalists; the policy was that they had to hand down what they had learned to the kids via the grassroots program, paying it forward. The program has produced many successful dance sports athletes, such as Wilbert Aunzo and Pearl Marie Cañeda.
We are proud of you Pearl Marie Cañeda!
We are thrilled about your recent achievement! Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment have truly paid off. Being an awardee of the Women Sports Awards is a testament to your exceptional talent.
You’ve inspired young DanceSport athletes with your passion, resilience, perseverance, and remarkable achievements. You’ve consistently raised the bar and set an example for excellence.
May this award be just the beginning of many more incredible milestones in your journey. Keep shining bright and know that your success brings immense pride to Cebu and to DanceSport Team Cebu City.
Once again, congratulations!
Love,
Photos by Ms. Princess Kate Belaniso
